NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
160 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Mar 12, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
I WAS HAVING A OVERHEATING PROBLEM AND LACKING ALOT OF POWER. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER,$1300.00 TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKETS. THE DEALER STATED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 3.8 ENGINES. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 37,000 MILES ON IT AND I TAKE EXCELLENT CARE OF MY MUSTANG. I AM A PROUD MUSTANG OWNER AND HAVE OWNED SEVERAL…
Read full complaint
I WAS HAVING A OVERHEATING PROBLEM AND LACKING ALOT OF POWER. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER,$1300.00 TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKETS. THE DEALER STATED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 3.8 ENGINES. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 37,000 MILES ON IT AND I TAKE EXCELLENT CARE OF MY MUSTANG. I AM A PROUD MUSTANG OWNER AND HAVE OWNED SEVERAL MUSTANGS AND NEVER HAVE HAD ANY COMPLAINTS. FORD NEEDS TO EITHER RECALL THIS OR TAKE STEPS TO MAKE SURE THIS DOES NOT OCCUR IN FUTURE VEHICLES. THANKS, LISA *AK
NHTSA ODI #720012
Mileage unknown · Mar 11, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS ERRATIC REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT. GAUGE STILL ERRATIC WAS DRIVING IT TO BE REPAIRED THE MOTOR LOCKED UP THE HEAD GASKET IS BLOWN HAD IT TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT. THEY TOLD ME I NEED A NEW MOTOR
NHTSA ODI #719982
Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #719841
Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER HAS V-6 3. 8 LITER A REAR WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE. ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT, WATER WAS COMING OUT OF EXHAUST SYSTEM, AND MIXED WITH ANTI-FREEZE AND OIL. COMSUMER STATED THAT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS BLOWING OUT WHITE SMOKE, AND COULDN'T DRIVE VEHICLE. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #858092
Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #719740
Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #719697
Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other
I HAVE HEARD ABOUT BLOWN HEAD GASKETS IN FORD WINDSTARS AND SOME INFORMATION ABOUT MUSTANGS, I JUST WANTED TO FILE A COMPLAINT TO GET MUSTANGS INVOLVED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ALSO. I RECENTLY TOOK MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT HAD COME ON AND I WAS ORIGINALLY TOLD THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO FLUSH OUT …
Read full complaint
I HAVE HEARD ABOUT BLOWN HEAD GASKETS IN FORD WINDSTARS AND SOME INFORMATION ABOUT MUSTANGS, I JUST WANTED TO FILE A COMPLAINT TO GET MUSTANGS INVOLVED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ALSO. I RECENTLY TOOK MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT HAD COME ON AND I WAS ORIGINALLY TOLD THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO FLUSH OUT MY RADIATOR. AFTER THAT, I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD HAVE TO CHANGE MY WATER PUMP. AFTER THEY HAD REPLACED THAT I ASKED TO SEE IT AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE IT ANYMORE. I WAS THEN CALLED LATER AND TOLD THAT MY HEAD GASKETS WERE BLOWN AND THAT WOULD COST ME AN ADDITIONAL $1500 ON TOP OF THE OTHER $800 THAT I WAS BEING CHARGED FOR. I BEGAN TO DO RESEARCH ON THIS AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I AM. MY CAR IS WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND ONLY HAS 50,000 MILES ON IT. I'M COMPLAINING IN HOPES THAT FORD WILL RECOGNIZE THIS AS A PROBLEM AND REIMBURSE ME FOR FIXING THEIR PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #719684
Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH HEAD GASKETS IN THEIR VEHICLES WHICH HAVE A 3.9L, V-6 ENGINE. RECENTLY FORD ISSUED A PRESS RELEASE STATING THAT THEY WERE EXTENDING THE WARRANTY FOR SEVERAL CARS THAT HAVE THE 3.8L V-6 ENGINE. THE MUSTANG MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED. IF YOU VISIT THE WEB SITE WWW.THECOMPLAINTSTATION.CO…
Read full complaint
FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH HEAD GASKETS IN THEIR VEHICLES WHICH HAVE A 3.9L, V-6 ENGINE. RECENTLY FORD ISSUED A PRESS RELEASE STATING THAT THEY WERE EXTENDING THE WARRANTY FOR SEVERAL CARS THAT HAVE THE 3.8L V-6 ENGINE. THE MUSTANG MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED. IF YOU VISIT THE WEB SITE WWW.THECOMPLAINTSTATION.COM YOU WILL SEE SEVERAL HUNDRED COMPLAINTS POSTED REGARDING BLOWN HEADGASKETS IN FORD MUSTANGS EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L, V-6 ENGINE. TO DATE, FORD HAS DONE NOTHING TO RECTIFY THIS COLOSSAL PROBLEM. I AM SEARCHING FOR A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT TO BECOME INVOLVED IN AGAINST FORD. SO FAR, I HAVE NOT FOUND ONE IN PROGRESS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME!! *AK
NHTSA ODI #719557
Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 70,000 MILES WITH A 3.8 LITER ENGINE, AND THE ENGINE HAS AN BLOWN HEAD GASKET WHICH CAUSES ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. MANUFACTURER IS PROVIDING ADDITIONAL WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE WINDSTAR AND THE TAURUS MANUFACTURED IN 1994 AND 1995 . PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #857698
Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE METAL SEALING RING, WITHIN THE HEAD GASKET, THAT IS TO FORM A HIGH PRESSURE SEAL BETWEEN THE CYLINDER BLOCK AND HEAD IS NOT CONCENTRIC TO THE CYLINDER. THIS DEFECT OCCURRED WITH BOTH(2) HEAD GASKETS(SAME CYLINDER LOCATION). THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT OCCURED WITH THE '95-'96 3.8L TRANSVERSE ENGINES (FORD ISSUED A TSB FOR …
Read full complaint
THE METAL SEALING RING, WITHIN THE HEAD GASKET, THAT IS TO FORM A HIGH PRESSURE SEAL BETWEEN THE CYLINDER BLOCK AND HEAD IS NOT CONCENTRIC TO THE CYLINDER. THIS DEFECT OCCURRED WITH BOTH(2) HEAD GASKETS(SAME CYLINDER LOCATION). THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT OCCURED WITH THE '95-'96 3.8L TRANSVERSE ENGINES (FORD ISSUED A TSB FOR A '96 WINSTAR I OWN).) *AK
NHTSA ODI #719373
Official recalls
4Oct 3, 2001
EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG MODULE REPLACED AFTER APRIL 5, 2000. THE REPLACEMENT DRIVER'S AIR BAG MODULE INFLATOR MAY HAVE INSUFFICIENT WELDS THAT COULD PREVENT PROPER INFLATION OF THE AIR BAG.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG MAY NOT PROPERLY DEPLOY WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN LESS THAN THE INTENDED LEVEL OF OCCUPANT PROTECTION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 5, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
Oct 30, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. IF A VEHICLE IS PARKED WITH THE PARKING BRAKE NOT FULLY APPLIED AND NOT IN FIRST GEAR, AS DIRECTED IN THE OWNER GUIDE, AND THE SELF ADJUSTMENT PAWL SUBSEQUENTLY SKIPS ONE OR TWO TEETH, THE VEHICLE COULD MOVE ON SOME GRADES.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT AND A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE PARKING BRAKE CONTROL AND INSTALL A PLATE OR OVER-BRACKET TO THE CONTROL TO LOCK THE SELF ADJUST MECHANISM IN POSITION FOLLOWING ADJUSTMENT.
Oct 20, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS. TEARING OF THE BOND BETWEEN THE INNER AND OUTER HOOD PANELS DURING MINOR FRONT END COLLISIONS CAN RESULT IN A GAP AT THE LEADING EDGE OF THE HOOD. AIR FORCED BETWEEN THE INNER AND OUTER PANELS CAN PRODUCE ENOUGH PRESSURE TO FORCE THE OUTER PANEL UPWARD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN TOTAL SEPARATION OF THE OUTER HOOD PANEL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HOOD AREA FOR ANY DAMAGE ALONG THE LEADING EDGE OF THE HOOD. IF THERE IS ANY EVIDENCE OF BOND SEPARATION, THE HOOD WILL BE REPLACED. IF THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF BOND SEPARATION, ADDITIONAL ADHESIVE WILL BE APPLIED BETWEEN THE INNER AND OUTER HOOD PANELS.
Mar 27, 1995
THE WIRE HARNESS ON THESE SEATS IS BANDED TO THE FRONT SEAT CUSHION SUPPORTS. THE END OF ONE OF THE SUPPORTS CAN PUNCTURE THE HARNESS, RESULTING IN A HIGH RESISTANCE ELECTRICAL SHORT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: OVERHEATING CAN RESULT, AND MELTING, SMOKE AND POSSIBLE IGNITION OF THE SURROUNDING MATERIALS CAN OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE TIE STRAP FROM EACH OF THE FRONT SEATS.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
4EA98013 · Parking Brake
Opened May 27, 1998 · Closed Oct 31, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
PE97051 · Parking Brake Failure
Opened Dec 23, 1997 · Closed May 27, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE NUMBER OF CRASHES REPORTED TOT HE MANUFACTURER WARRANTS FURTHER THIS INVESTIGATION
EA97018 · Outer Hood Panel Detachment
Opened Sep 30, 1997 · Closed Oct 22, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
PE97011 · Outer Hood Panel Detachment
Opened Mar 13, 1997 · Closed Sep 30, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION HAS RECEIVED 6 REPORTS INDICATING THE OUTER HOOD PANEL SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLES AS THEY WERE BEING DRIVEN.FORD HAS PROVIDE 39 ADDITIONAL REPORTS THAT ARE CONSISTENT WITH ODI REPORTS.FORD INDICATES THAT THE LIKELY CAUSE IS PRIOR COLLISION DAMAGE.THIS INVESTIGATION IS BEING UPGRADED TO FURTHER STUDY THIS ISSUE.
Illustration